1. What is mercury? Mercury occurs naturally in the environment and can also be released into the air through industrial pollution. It then falls from the air and can accumulate in streams and oceans, turning into methylmercury in the water. It is this type of mercury that is harmful to your baby. Fish absorb the methyl mercury as they feed in these waters and so it may build up in the fish. It builds up more in some types of fish than others, depending on what the fish eat, which is why the levels in the fish vary.
2. Is there methylmercury in all fish? Nearly all fish contain traces of methyl mercury. However, larger fish that have lived longer have the highest levels of methyl mercury because they’ve had more time to accumulate it. These large fish (swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish) pose the greatest risk to pregnant women. Other types of fish are safe to eat in the amounts recommended by the FDA and EPA.
3. I still eat tuna fish right? Mercury levels in tuna vary. Tuna steaks and canned albacore tuna generally contain higher levels of mercury than canned light tuna. You can safely eat up to six ounces of albacore a week.
4. Do I need to be concerned about “locally” caught fish? Some kinds of fish & shellfish caught in your local waters may have higher or much lower than average levels of mercury. This depends on the levels of mercury in the water in which the Fish are caught. Those fish with the lower levels may be safely eaten more frequently and in larger amounts. Before you go fishing, check your fishing regulations booklet for information about local advisories. You can also contact your local “health department’ for information about local advisories.
5. I’m not pregnant yet. Should I be concerned about (methylmercury)? If you regularly eat types of fish that are high in “methylmercury”, it can accumulate in your bloodstream over time. Methylmercury is removed from the body naturally but it may take over a year for the levels to drop significantly. So, it may be present in a woman even before she becomes pregnant. This is one of the reasons why women who are trying to become pregnant should also avoid eating certain types of fish.
6. I’m worried that I have been exposed to a large amount of methyl mercury. if you have questions or perhaps you think you have been exposed to large amounts of methylmercury see a doctor immediately. For more information about the risks of mercury in Fish call the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s food information line toll-free at 1-888-SEAFOOD or visit the FDA Food Safety Website.